Grolier Acquires Australian Book Club Marketer

Publisher and direct marketer Grolier Inc., Danbury, CT, said it has acquired Weldon by Mail, a Sydney, Australia-based direct marketer of children's book programs. The terms were not disclosed.

Weldon has licenses in Australia and New Zealand for the Disney Book Club and for Random House's Beginner Readers Program, featuring Dr. Seuss titles.

Grolier, which markets reference materials and children's books in 13 countries, is planning to apply its direct-marketing techniques, including telemarketing, to the Weldon properties. The company also plans to expand Weldon's reach into other Asian markets, including Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Among the brands Grolier will market in Australia are Winnie the Pooh, Thomas the Tank Engine, The Little Mermaid, Disney Small World and the Random House Dr. Seuss titles.

Jason Workman, who previously worked for Grolier UK for 10 years, will head the new business.